The table is round, here in Viscount Prothus's dining room. Hence, there is no end to it. We're all sitting as equals, which is surprising given this man's character.

I haven't uttered a word from the start of the dinner. I just nodded when Alexander asked me if I wanted some water.

Maybe, this is too much. But my husband isn't making me understand if there are issues, so I better continue like this.

The jewels I'm wearing are heavy and shiny, the dress elegant and detailed. I'm just like any other duchess right now.

«I was quite surprised to hear that your grace wasn't chosen as the late Emperor's successor,» the Viscount says at some point. «You were his crown prince. What made him change idea just before he died?»

«That is not what happened,» Alexander replies. Oh, again with that.

He's refused the idea of being the successor to the late Emperor. It's a pity because I'm sure he would have done a good job. And we could have married without the need to win a war.

Would I have accepted to marry him, though?

Ah, he would have charmed me during the negotiations. That's for sure.

From what I've heard, Alexander has always laughed and denied every time he was called the crown prince. He would say he was serving the crown because it was the duty of every subject. Not to gain anything out of it.

«The late Emperor didn't change his mind,» he adds, making me almost choke.

So, he's not going to deny this time. Is this the way he's going to play it? It might be clever.

This man is going to prison, if not worse. He won't be able to endanger Alexander's position even if he tells everyone about this conversation.

This is the right opportunity to train his acting skills. If he wants to pretend treason, he won't be able to make any mistakes later.

«He never wanted...» the Viscount starts with an uncertain voice.

«He died before he could formalise his decision,» Alexander interrupts him.

I'm not sure how much this coincidence is my husband's doing, by the way. Did he participate in the Emperor's death, or he just wished for it?

«What bad luck!» the Viscount comments. «Are you sure there isn't a single law that would protect your position in this case?»

«There isn't any position I can protect, Viscount Prothus. As you already heard, I do not have my title either.»

«But you have a wife, contrarily to his majesty, the current Emperor. Once you get an heir, your status at court will increase.»

«Do you know who my wife is?» Alexander mumbles, annoyed.

If I didn't know he's acting, I would have given him a crown after this performance. He's so damn convincing!

Oh, right. I'm the wife. I shouldn't look at him with amazement.

I bow my head down and look at my fingers for a while. Are ten seconds enough?

«I haven't heard any gossip from the Palace from the moment I took my role, your grace. I'm busy running my fief. My father left so many unhappy peasants, and it's a hassle to keep them in check. Who is her grace, the Duchess?»

«The fallen Queen of Polis.»

«Oh, the fallen Queen! I see you tamed her well; I couldn't tell she was once a regent.»

You dumbass jerk. I was Queen, not a regent.

«Your grace was the one to finish that war as well, right? I've heard about that. It's among the last news that reached me...»

«Yes,» Alexander nods, «I was the one to win.»

«I guess that city had many attractions, other than the harbour.»

Alexander passes his gaze on me. I bite my lips and wait for his words, a little worried about what he's going to say.

«I do not stand a chance to sit on the throne without the support of an influential family. By declaring this marriage, his majesty made things clear.»

«I was wondering why you were married, indeed... His majesty didn't need to declare it publicly. It's a waste of your talent, your grace.»

«Somehow, I still think that my chances aren't annulled,» my husband continues. He leans an elbow on the armrest and observes his plate for a moment. Then, he moves his eyes on the Viscount's face.

They look at each other in the eyes for two seconds, and then they resume eating at the same time.

«A wife like yours is supposed to have broad connections,» the Viscount comments. Somehow, it feels too intelligent of a remark to come from him.

«Connections?» Alexander snickers. «Who would answer to a request of hers?»

«Her family,» the Viscount says with a shrug. «Isn't she related with someone relevant in Asteria?»

How does he know? He wasn't aware of my identity until we told him, yet now he knows I have relatives in Asteria?

«How was it... Zolokis?» he mumbles, unbothered.

Alexander and I exchange a glance, and I sigh. My uncle. He's the one that told him.

«You met one of them, perhaps?» Alexander inquires, helping me get rid of doubt.

«Yes, I met the Ambassador from Asteria. He was passing here on his way to the capital. He was the one telling me about the results of the war...»

Too bad he never reached the capital. Not officially, at least. Or I would have met him at the court. He appeared in Kyre, at the ball.

If he hadn't been assigned to Kyre years ago, I would have thought he had done it on purpose. But he met Alexander way before my husband joined the war... Is there a reason? Why Kyre, of all places?

«He said that the Queen was his niece and that he pitied her end. If I knew earlier that you two are now in-laws,» the Viscount laughs.

From his reaction, it doesn't look like my uncle passed by here and stayed the night. No, it's rather as if he spent quite some time with this person.